不以规矩,不能成方圆
bù yǐ guī ju , bù néng chéng fāng yuán
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1 without rules, nothing can be done (idiom, from Mencius); one must follow some rules
不成功便成仁
bù chéng gōng biàn chéng rén
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1 to succeed or die trying (idiom)
不求有功,但求无过
bù qiú yǒu gōng , dàn qiú wú guò
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1 lit. not aiming to achieve the best possible result, but rather trying to avoid making mistakes (idiom)
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2 fig. to take a risk-averse approach
不遑多让
bù huáng duō ràng
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1 lit. to have no time for civilities (idiom)
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2 fig. not to be outdone
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3 not to yield to one's opponents
事半功倍
shì bàn gōng bèi
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1 half the work, twice the effect (idiom); the right approach saves effort and leads to better results
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2 a stitch in time saves nine
人多势众
rén duō shì zhòng
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1 many men, a great force (idiom); many hands provide great strength
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2 There is safety in numbers.
以少胜多
yǐ shǎo shèng duō
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1 using the few to defeat the many (idiom); to win from a position of weakness
任贤使能
rèn xián shǐ néng
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1 to appoint the virtuous and use the able (idiom); appointment on the basis of ability and integrity
倘能如此
tǎng néng rú cǐ
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1 if it is possible (idiom)
僧多粥少
sēng duō zhōu shǎo
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1 lit. many monks and not much gruel (idiom)
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2 fig. not enough to go around
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3 demand exceeds supply
凶多吉少
xiōng duō jí shǎo
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1 everything bodes ill, no positive signs (idiom); inauspicious
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2 everything points to disaster
前功尽弃
qián gōng jìn qì
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1 to waste all one's previous efforts (idiom)
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2 all that has been achieved goes down the drain
力所能及
lì suǒ néng jí
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1 as far as one's capabilities extend (idiom); to the best of one's ability
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2 within one's powers
功不可没
gōng bù kě mò
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1 one's contributions cannot go unnoticed (idiom)
功到自然成
gōng dào zì rán chéng
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1 effort will undoubtedly lead to success (idiom)
功名利禄
gōng míng lì lù
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1 position and wealth (idiom); rank, fame and fortune
功完行满
gōng wán xíng mǎn
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1 to fully achieve one's ambitions (idiom)
功德圆满
gōng dé yuán mǎn
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1 virtuous achievements come to their successful conclusion (idiom)
功德无量
gōng dé wú liàng
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1 no end of virtuous achievements (idiom); boundless beneficence
功成不居
gōng chéng bù jū
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1 not to claim personal credit for achievement (idiom)